Google Pixel 8 vs. Pixel 7: The Biggest Differences

If you're thinking about buying a new Pixel phone and are deciding between the Pixel 8 and previous-generation Pixel 7, I'd encourage you to think twice. Google is holding its next product launch event on Aug. 13, where it will introduce the Pixel 9. Before you make a decision, it's worth seeing what Google has in store for its next crop of devices.

Maybe you don't care about having the latest phone and you just want a reliable, reasonably priced Pixel phone. If that's the case, I'd recommend the Pixel 8A instead, which is currently $150 less than the Pixel 7 through Google's store and inherits many of the same traits as the Pixel 8.

Still, if you're set on either the Pixel 7 or Pixel 8, it's important to understand the biggest differences between the two. The Pixel 8 has a newer processor, some extra AI features, a brighter (but slightly smaller) screen and a macro focus photography mode. 

Most importantly, the Pixel 8 will get seven years of software upgrades, whereas the Pixel 7 will only receive new versions of Android until October 2025 (although it will get security updates until 2027). That alone makes the Pixel 8 a more attractive option, since its software won't feel out of date anytime soon.

Here's a closer look at how the Pixel 8 compares to the Pixel 7.

Watch this: Review: We Tested the Google Pixel 8 and Its AI Features

10:48

Pixel 8 vs. Pixel 7: Design, display and software

The Pixel 7 and Pixel 8 look and feel similar, with each featuring a glossy back finish and a matte aluminum frame with a bar-shaped camera module that runs horizontally across the device. But the Pixel 8 has flatter edges and weighs less, which along with its more compact size make it easier to hold and use with one hand. 

The Pixel 7 is available in lemongrass (yellow), snow (white) and obsidian (black) color options, while the newer Pixel 8 comes in hazel (gray), obsidian (black) mint (green) and rose (pink) choices. Both devices are rated for IP68 dust and water resistance, which means they should be dust-tight and able to withstand some water immersion.

Where the Pixel 8 and Pixel 7 start to differ is in their screens. The Pixel 8 has a 6.2-inch display, so it's slightly smaller than the 6.3-inch Pixel 7. The Pixel 8's dimensions are also physically smaller than the Pixel 7's, making it a more ideal choice for those seeking a petite phone.

The Pixel 8's screen is also brighter since it can peak at 2,000 nits of brightness compared to the Pixel 7's 1,400 nits. In addition, the Pixel 8 can boost its refresh rate up to 120Hz compared to the Pixel 7's 90Hz display, although the difference may not be noticeable and depends on what you're doing on your phone.

Both phones run on Android 14, the current version of Google's mobile operating system, and will get Android 15. But as mentioned above, the Pixel 8 will get seven years of new Android versions, new Pixel features and security updates. If you want a phone you can hold onto for years to come, the Pixel 8 is the better choice. 

While the software experience is largely the same, the Pixel 8 has some extra AI-powered features. The Pixel 8's Google Assistant is smarter and can summarize web pages. It also sounds more natural when screening incoming calls on your behalf. 

On paper, the Pixel 7 and Pixel 8 have similar camera systems. They each have a 50-megapixel main camera and a 12-megapixel ultra wide camera, but the Pixel 8 also has a macro photography mode and a newer sensor that's more sensitive to light. 

The difference is noticeable; photos taken with the Pixel 8's main camera generally looked a little brighter than those shot on the Pixel 7. And some shots looked more colorful too.

In the images of my colleague Bridget Carey below, which I shot using Night Mode in a dimly lit room in the CNET offices, the Pixel 8 did a better job at capturing the purple lighting more accurately. However, her face does look a bit noisy in the Pixel 8's photo. 

Pixel 8

Pixel 7

While photos generally looked the same between both phones, the Pixel 8's images sometimes looked slightly more colorful. Take a look at the photos of the fish market in Wegmans below, and you'll notice the reddish color in the fish's scales looks a little bolder, especially in the tail.

Pixel 8

Pixel 7

Macro mode also makes it easier to capture closeup details on the Pixel 8. The photo of an artificial flower below was taken on the Pixel 8 in macro mode, and below it you can see the same photo without macro mode taken on the Pixel 7.

Pixel 8

Pixel 7

My colleague Patrick Holland, who reviewed the Pixel 8, also said photos looked generally similar between both devices. However, he did notice more shadow detail in the Pixel 8's photos when looking closely, which you can see in his review. 

The bigger difference between the two phones comes down to their photo and video editing features. The Pixel 8 has a couple of AI-powered editing tools that aren't available on the Pixel 7, like Best Take and Audio Magic Eraser. The former lets you change a person's expression in a group photo after you've taken a bunch of shots, while the latter reduces distracting background noise in videos. Magic Editor, which lets you move, erase or resize objects in photos, initially launched on the Pixel 8 series but later came to other Pixel models, including the Pixel 7. 

Best Take is meant for moments when you can't get everyone smiling or keeping their eyes open in a group photo at the same time. While it works impressively well and I can see the appeal behind it, Best Take also feels a little inauthentic to me. It's easy enough to ignore this feature if you don't want to use it, but it doesn't feel as practical as previously introduced photo editing tools like the Magic Eraser and Face Unblur. 

The photo below was edited with Best Take. CNET's Jessica Fierro (left) and Abrar Al-Heeti (right) weren't smiling in the original image.

Overall, the cameras on both phones are similar enough, although the Pixel 8's generally feels like a small step up.

Pixel 8 vs. Pixel 7: Performance and battery

The Pixel 8 runs on Google's latest processor, the Tensor G3, while the previous-generation Tensor G2 powers the Pixel 7. Both phones are responsive enough when scrolling around the operating system, swiping through social media posts, launching apps and the camera and playing games. The newer chip's benefits really kick in when it comes to those AI-powered features mentioned earlier.

I also ran two benchmarks on each phone: one for testing general performance in everyday use (Geekbench 6) and another for measuring graphics power (3DMark Wild Life Extreme). In both tests, the Pixel 8 scored higher, especially on 3DMark Wild Life Extreme, as you can see in the table below.

Both phones offer roughly the same battery life, even though the Pixel 8 has a slightly higher battery capacity. The Pixel 8 and Pixel 7 can each last for around a day on a single charge, and they performed very similarly during CNET's three-hour battery test. During this test, we stream a YouTube video with the screen brightness turned up to its maximum level for three hours and note the battery percentage at each hour. 

Despite its brighter screen, the Pixel 8 delivered results that almost matched those of the Pixel 7.

Pixel 8 vs. Pixel 7: Which should you choose?

The Pixel 8 is a better investment overall for the simple reason that it will last longer. Its modest camera and display improvements are a step up, and the Pixel 8's new AI features make it a bit smarter and therefore more convenient to use than the Pixel 7. But it's really the long software support that makes the Pixel 8 the better choice. However, keep in mind that the Pixel 8A is a better choice for those considering the Pixel 7 as a cheaper alternative to the Pixel 8. And with Google's Pixel 9 announcement right around the corner, it's best to hold off before buying a new Pixel phone right now.